Latch for a switch actuator

ABSTRACT

A latching device for a manual switch actuator, including a Ushaped retainer which can be placed in either of two conditions, in one of which it leaves the actuator free to be manipulated and in the other of which it restrains the actuator against movement. An elongate spring secured to a base at one end can be hooked at its other end under an edge of the retainer, or released from the retainer. When released the retainer drops and permits the actuator to be operated at will subject to no inhibition. When hooked the spring locks the retainer against actuation, except on forcible displacement of the retainer against the force of the spring.

United States Patent Brown [54] LATCH FOR A SWITCH ACTUATOR I [72] Inventor: Eugene H. Brown, 2518 Hart Street,

Dodge City, Kans. 6 7801 22 Filed: Oct.9, 1970 211' Appl.No.: 79,440

[ 1 June6, 1972 Primary Examiner-Herman J. Hohauser Attorney-Hurvitz & Rose ABSTRACT A latching device for a manual switch actuator, including a U- shaped retainer which can be placed in either of two conditions, in one of which it leaves the actuator free to be manipu lated and in the other of which it restrains the actuator against movement. An elongate spring secured to a base at one end can be hooked at its other end under an edge of the retainer, or released from the retainer. When released the retainer drops and permits the actuator to be operated at will subject to no inhibition. When hooked the spring locks the retainer against actuation, except on forcible displacement of the retainer against the force of the spring.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures LATCH FOR A swrrcn ACTUATOR BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION It is known in the prior art to latch switches, either closed or opened, so that they cannot be accidentally actuated into an undesired condition. Such devices are either complex and costly or they are not flexible in respect to their possibilities of inclusion or exclusion. The present invention has for its objective to provide a simple latch which can be effectively removed by releasing a spring, or latched by securing a spring, to a U-shaped retainer of a switch actuator, but in which the spring bias can be readily overcome, if desired, without removal of the spring. Thereby the switch, with retainer in place, cannot be accidentally operated, but any operation must be intended and deliberate, and must be accompanied by an action in respect to the retainer which requires application of only slight force applied in a specific way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A spring biased protective retainer for a switch actuator, which provides for at-will introduction or deletion of the bias spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view in perspective of a retainer for a switch actuator, in retaining or latched condition;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the device of FIG. 1, in unlatched condition;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation taken on the lines 3-3 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a view in bottom plan; taken on the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. I, is a wall or panel, behind which is a switch S of any usual character, which can be at will open or closed. The switch S is operated by a rotary actuator 1 1 extending perpendicularly and forwardly of panel 10, and having'a downwardly extending handle 12. The switch Sand its actuator may be secured to the panel 10 as part of a single assembly, by means of a plate 13 secured to the panel 10 by screws or bolts 14. The switch S is provided with a rotatable shaft 16, extending through panel 10 and plate 13, into a recess 17 provided in actuator 11, and secured thereto by a set screw 18.

Secured to the plate 13 is a Ushaped bracket 20, the arms of which extend outwardly of the plate 13. A pin 21 extends between the arms, on which is wound one end of a spring 22, which has a free outwardly extending arm 23 terminating in a hook 24. A U-shaped retainer 25 pivots on the pin 21, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, extends about and latches the handle 12,

so that it cannot be turned. The hook 23 is secured under an edge of retainer 25 and the spring is so wound and retained in respect to pin 21 that the retainer 25 is spring biased upwardly into retaining position.

The hook 23 can be manually unhooked from the retainer 25, as in FIG. 2, whereupon the retainer 25 drops under gravity, and handle 12 is then free to turn. However, the retainer 25 can be depressed out of retaining relation by depressing it, against the bias of the spring, sufficiently to release the handle 12, without releasing the spring. The latter operation provides a temporary release, whereas releasing the spring is permanent, until the spring is again hooked.

While I have described and illustrated one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be clear that variations of the details of construction which are specifically illustrated and described may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

I. A latch for a switch actuator, said switch actuator includ ing a handle, comprising:

a U-shaped retainer extending about said handle in one of its positions and preventing rotation of said handle, Q means pivotally mounting said retainer for gravitational movement to another position in which said handle is released,

a spring having a free end and a secured end, said free end extending into engagement with said retainer and biasing said retainer into said one of its positions, said free end being disengageable from said retainer to enable said gravitational movement, wherein is provided a mounting plate, and means securing said switch actuator and retainer on said mounting plate.

2. A latch for a switch actuator, said switch actuator including a handle, comprising:

a U-shaped retainer extending about said handle in one of its positions and preventing rotation of said handle,

means pivotally mounting said retainer for gravitational movement to another position in which said handle is released,

a spring having a free end and a secured end, said free end extending into engagement with said retainer and biasing said retainer into said one of its positions, said free end being disengageable from said retainer to enable said gravitational movement, wherein is provided a U-shaped bracket secured to said plate, a pin extending between the arms of said bracket, said retainer being pivotally mounted on said pin, said spring including a helical portion wound on said pin and a linear portion terminating in a hook which engages said retainer. 

1. A latch for a switch actuator, said switch actuator including a handle, comprising: a U-shaped retainer extending about said handle in one of its positions and preventing rotation of said handle, means pivotally mounting said retainer for gravitational movement to another position in which said handle is released, a spring having a free end and a secured end, said free end extending into engagement with said retainer and biasing said retainer into said one of its positions, said free end being disengageable from said retainer to enable said gravitational movement, wherein is provided a mounting plate, and means securing said switch actuator and retainer on said mounting plate.
 2. A latch for a switch actuator, said switch actuator including a handle, comprising: a U-shaped retainer extending about said handle in one of its positions and preventing rotation of said handle, means pivotally mounting said retainer for gravitational movement to another position in which said handle is released, a spring having a free end and a secured end, said free end extending into engagement with said retainer and biasing said retainer into said one of its positions, said free end being disengageable from said retainer to enable said gravitational movement, wherein is provided a U-shaped bracket secured to said plate, a pin extending between the arms of said bracket, said retainer being pivotally mounted on said pin, said spring including a helical portion wound on said pin and a linear portion terminating in a hook which engages said retainer. 